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Best Free Summer Music Events In Pittsburgh

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Sure, you can drop upwards of $100 for a ticket to some of the summer's hottest concerts or you can enjoy a summer of savings by checking out some of Pittsburgh's best free summer music events.

Related: Best Summer Music Festivals And Tours

Station Square Summer Street Jam
125 W. Station Square Drive
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(800) 859-8959
www.stationsquare.com

Dates: Friday evenings during July and August

Pittsburgh's Station Square may be best known for its shopping and dining activities, but during the summer, this downtown entertainment area is the place to be for free music events. Every Friday evening during the summer months, Station Square shoppers and diners can enjoy the sounds of live bands at the Station Square Summer Street Jam. This free weekly concert series is held throughout July and August. If you're looking for a cheap and fun way to end your summer evenings at the edge of one of Pittsburgh's three rivers, be sure the Station Square Summer Street Jam is on your summer bucket list.

Stars At Riverview Jazz Series
Riverview Park
Pittsburgh, PA 15219
(412) 255-2493
www.pittsburghpa.gov

Dates: June 8 to Aug 31 at 7 p.m.

The lovely Riverview Park in Observatory Hill is the setting for the Stars at Riverview Jazz Series, a free concert featuring the best jazz performers in Pittsburgh. Bring a blanket and lawn chair with you and delight in the jazzy music of performers like Roby "Supersax" Edwards, Chico's Qunitet and Poogie Bell. Once the jazz concert is over, stick around for Dollar Bank Cinema in the Park that broadcasts family-friendly movies for free. The Stars at Riverview Jazz Series is sponsored by ARAD and BNY Mellon.

Cranberry Township Summer Outdoor Concerts
Cranberry Township Community Park Rotary Amphitheater
Cranberry Township, PA 16066
(724) 776-4806
www.cranberrytownship.org

Dates: Thursday evenings June 13 to August 15

The warm evenings of summer make this one of the best times of year to enjoy an outdoor concert at your local community park. If your local park does not host a summer outdoor concert series, you're invited to check out the free summer outdoor concerts held regularly throughout the summer at the Cranberry Township Community Park Rotary Amphitheater. The first of the year celebrates the music of the 60s, 70s and 80s by Pittsburgh band Street Level on Thursday, June 13 followed by five additional free concerts featuring oldies, classic rock, blues, jazz and country music. Don't forget to pack a blanket or lawn chair for your concert comfort. Parking at the Cranberry Township Community Park Rotary Amphitheater is free to all concert attendees.

Related: Bargain Experts Offer List Of Free & Affordable Summertime Fun

Pittsburgh Blues Festival
Hartwood Acres Park
200 Hartwood Acres
Pittsburgh, PA 15238
(412) 767-9200
www.pghblues.com

Dates: July 19 – 4 to 10:30 p.m.

If there's one thing that won't leave you singing the blues about this music festival, it's the price. The Pittsburgh Blues Festival is held annually at Allegheny County's Hartwood Acres Park, the gathering stage for countless local Pittsburgh blues bands. Come on Friday and receive free admission with the donation of a bag of non-perishable food items that will be collected for the Greater Pittsburgh Community Food Bank. You may want to bring some cash to have on hand in case you want to purchase a bite to eat, like homemade fudge from Joyce's Copper Kettle Fudge, or take home a piece of locally crafted art including jewelry or pottery.

Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival
Pittsburgh Cultural District
Pittsburgh, PA 15222
(412) 471-3191
www.3riversartsfest.org

Dates: June 7-16

Unlike most concerts, where you can easily spend more than you anticipated on food, souvenirs and tickets, everything is free at the Dollar Bank Three Rivers Arts Festival. This year's festival is scheduled for June 7 through 16 in downtown Pittsburgh's Point State Park, Gateway Center and Cultural District making it easy to take in all the Three Rivers Arts Festival has to offer. Hear live music from Pittsburgh-based musicians and singer-songwriters representing a variety of musical stylings and check out local art displays and theater and dance performances all for free throughout this ten-day celebration of music and art.

Related: Best Concerts To Look Forward To In Pittsburgh In 2013

Best Of Pittsburgh Screen Shot - 300x225

 Head to CBS Pittsburgh's Best Of page for more local tips on family fun, shopping, nightlife, food, culture and more!

Jessica Wasik lives in Pittsburgh where works as a full-time figure skating coach sharing her passion with todays generation of young skaters. A graduate of Robert Morris University with a degree in English Studies, Jessica is also a contributing writer for Allegheny West Magazine. Her work can be found at Examiner.com.

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